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Topic: The Sports Thread (Read 606232 times)

I can vouch for women that are very knowledgeable regarding sports, my wife is and has been a big fan of the NFL & MLB for the 30 odd years of our marriage, though we follow different teams, and it has trickled down to my daughter and grandaughters...so guys beware, they can be deceptive

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An old timer is a man who's had a lot of interesting experiences -- some of them true.

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Listen, for some reason people think I am attacking them in this thread (you and Gebre). If I place a winking smily face within my post, I am being playful. I knew you were a Jets fan for a number of months now, and I have two sisters who know more about the NFL than myself (which makes it strange that they cheer for those Bears) so I know women can be informed about football just as much as men.I'm not a pretencious jerk trying to make anyone feel stupid.

I didn't feel that way.

Selam

« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 02:55:42 PM by Gebre Menfes Kidus »

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""Love is a dangerous thing. It will crush you if you trust it. But without it you can never be whole. Love crucifies, but love saves. We will either be saved together with love, or damned alone without it." Selam, +GMK+

Ravens vs. Colts II - If 4-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning is still mad about being benched, he'll put 70 on the Ravens before Caldwell pulls him in the 3rd Quarter.

Jets vs. Chargers - Jets are Ravens 2000 team part deux. Jets take one from Ravens playbook and beat the Chargers, hosting the Ravens in the real final game at the Meadowlands assuming that Peyton isn't benched by the 2nd Quarter and Ravens storm a comeback against Painter.

Cowboys vs. Vikings - Romo is on a roll without Jessica Simpson. Vikings implode as dome teams usually do.

Cardinals vs. Saints - Cards win one for Warner who had game of his life against Packers. New Orleans has taken 5 weeks off and will implode as dome teams usually do.

Ravens vs. Colts II - If 4-time NFL MVP Peyton is still mad about being benched, he'll put 70 on the Ravens before Caldwell pulls him in the 3rd Quarter.

Jets vs. Chargers - Jets are Ravens 2000 team part deux. Jets take one from Ravens playbook and beat the Chargers, hosting the Ravens in the real final game at the Meadowlands assuming that Peyton isn't benched by the 2nd Quarter and Ravens storm a comeback against Painter.

Cowboys vs. Vikings - Romo is on a roll without Jessica Simpson. Vikings implode as dome teams usually do.

Cardinals vs. Saints - Cards win one for Warner who had game of his life against Packers. New Orleans has taken 5 weeks off and will implode as dome teams usually do.

What does playing in a dome have to do with imploding? Is the roof going to fall on them?

The Vikings have a 40 year old QB who usually falters in the big games.

But that's a function of the QB's age and his ability to rise up to the challenge of big games. Besides, if Brett Favre has one downfall, it's his tendency to be boneheadedly aggressive--I don't think of him as a choker. None of this has to do with the Metrodome, though.

Now, what does the fact that these three teams play at least half their games in domed stadiums have to do with their prospects of postseason success? You said that dome teams usually implode in the playoffs, so I'd like to know why you think this is so.

What does playing in a dome have to do with imploding? Is the roof going to fall on them?

These two dome teams have had a number of weeks where they were off or losing.

The Saints have lost 3 in a row and have had 2 weeks to think about it.

But any team can go through that kind of funk to end the season. That has nothing to do with the Superdome.

OK, so the Superdome has no bearing. The Saints lost to the Cowboys at home, starting a 3 game losing streak. Teams lose momentum as evident by the Bengals and even the Patriots. Even the Colts are in jeopardy of losing momentum especially to a team which hasn't defeated them in 12 years although I think Manning is a better QB than Tom Brady.

The Vikings have a 40 year old QB who usually falters in the big games.

But that's a function of the QB's age and his ability to rise up to the challenge of big games. Besides, if Brett Favre has one downfall, it's his tendency to be boneheadedly aggressive--I don't think of him as a choker. None of this has to do with the Metrodome, though.

Now, what does the fact that these three teams play at least half their games in domed stadiums have to do with their prospects of postseason success? You said that dome teams usually implode in the playoffs, so I'd like to know why you think this is so.

Commentators have been providing all kinds of theories explaining the lack of success of dome teams in the playoffs. I believe in some of these theories, nothing more.

Commentators have been providing all kinds of theories explaining the lack of success of dome teams in the playoffs. I believe in some of these theories, nothing more.

Well, I think we can rule out one factor for the Saints, Colts, and Vikings this year, and that's the effect playing on the road in a cold-weather stadium might have on these teams. The Saints and Colts are guaranteed the home field in any conference playoff game they might play, and the only way the Vikings will play outside the Metrodome this postseason (not counting the Super Bowl) is if they need to travel to the Superdome to play the Saints in the NFC championship game.

Commentators have been providing all kinds of theories explaining the lack of success of dome teams in the playoffs. I believe in some of these theories, nothing more.

Well, SolEX01, it looks as if you might have to put these theories to rest this year. Three of the four conference championship game contestants are dome teams. The NFC cannot avoid putting a dome team in the Super Bowl. The Colts have to be heavily favored to beat the Jets in the AFC. If they do, a dome team WILL win the Super Bowl.

Commentators have been providing all kinds of theories explaining the lack of success of dome teams in the playoffs. I believe in some of these theories, nothing more.

Well, SolEX01, it looks as if you might have to put these theories to rest this year. Three of the four conference championship game contestants are dome teams. The NFC cannot avoid putting a dome team in the Super Bowl. The Colts have to be heavily favored to beat the Jets in the AFC. If they do, a dome team WILL win the Super Bowl.

So, here's to you: THBPTHBPTHBPFT!!!

Fair enough.

Teams owned by Greek-Americans, except for NHL teams, tend to implode in the playoffs, e.g. the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Orioles. The NHL's Carolina Hurricanes is owned by a Greek-American with a Stanley Cup in the display case. The Washington Capitals, owned by another Greek-American, are always in the Stanley Cup hunt.

Oh well, you can't win them all. Now to post the Conference Championship analysis.

Vikings vs. Saints - Brett Favre has 37 TDs vs. 7 INTs. Saints have no defense. Saints have never been to Super Bowl. Saints deserve a trip to Super Bowl. If the Saints wind up knocking one old QB into retirement, they will try to knock another old QB into retirement; hence, the Saints pack their bags for Miami.

Vikings vs. Saints - Brett Favre has 37 TDs vs. 7 INTs. Saints have no defense. Saints have never been to Super Bowl. Saints deserve a trip to Super Bowl. If the Saints wind up knocking one old QB into retirement, they will try to knock another old QB into retirement; hence, the Saints pack their bags for Miami.

Now, substitute Mark Sanchez for Joe Namath and Peyton Manning for Johnny Unitas and the Jets pack their bags for Miami on February 7 whether the Colts are favored by 4 or 24 points.

You picked exactly the opposite teams that I would pick

Was sorry to see the Jets get by, as I strongly dislike them. Not that I like the Chargers, and I dislike Rivers in particular. Come to think of it, out of those two teams, the only player I really like is Sproles. Oh well, at least the Cowboys lost.

Sometimes, going against popular consensus works. I learned that lesson in 1985 when I lost 50 sheets of notebook paper when Villanova defeated Georgetown in the NCAA Basketball Tourney and I reluctantly paid up to a 8th grader friend of mine. That was when I swore off betting anything on sporting events....

As an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, I must applaud Tim Tebow and his family for utilizing his fame to promote the cause of LIFE. (See article below.) I wish more star athletes who openly promote their Christian faith would take a stand for "the least of these." I hope Tebow's efforts will inspire others.

BTW, I just love how the media can never bring themselves to say "Pro-Life." They always have to say "anti-abortion."

The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebows will share a personal story centering on the theme “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.”

The group isn’t releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow’s 1987 pregnancy. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner ended his college career with several NCAA, Southeastern Conference and school records, and two national championships. Tebow also has been very involved in his family’s Christian-based ministry.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said the commercial comes at a time when “families need to be inspired.”

“Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive,” Daly said. “Focus on the Family is about … strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values.”

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Daly said all the funds for the ad came from a handful of “very generous and committed friends,” and that no money from the group’s general fund was used.

“Now that the ad has been shot, we’re excited to tell people it’s coming because the Tebows’ story is such an important one for our culture to hear,” he said. “You won’t want to miss it.”

« Last Edit: January 18, 2010, 05:30:34 AM by Gebre Menfes Kidus »

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""Love is a dangerous thing. It will crush you if you trust it. But without it you can never be whole. Love crucifies, but love saves. We will either be saved together with love, or damned alone without it." Selam, +GMK+

As an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, I must applaud Tim Tebow and his family for utilizing his fame to promote the cause of LIFE. (See article below.) I wish more star athletes who openly promote their Christian faith would take a stand for "the least of these." I hope Tebow's efforts will inspire others.

BTW, I just love how the media can never bring themselves to say "Pro-Life." They always have to say "anti-abortion."

The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebows will share a personal story centering on the theme “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.”

The group isn’t releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow’s 1987 pregnancy. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner ended his college career with several NCAA, Southeastern Conference and school records, and two national championships. Tebow also has been very involved in his family’s Christian-based ministry.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said the commercial comes at a time when “families need to be inspired.”

“Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive,” Daly said. “Focus on the Family is about … strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values.”

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Daly said all the funds for the ad came from a handful of “very generous and committed friends,” and that no money from the group’s general fund was used.

“Now that the ad has been shot, we’re excited to tell people it’s coming because the Tebows’ story is such an important one for our culture to hear,” he said. “You won’t want to miss it.”

Just to be safe, commentary bordering on politics moved to the Politics thread started with a cross-post of the above article (Tim Tebow's Pro-Life Superbowl Commercial). If anyone feels they can speak on the above post with enough self control to refrain from discussing the politics of abortion, have at it. As always, though, political discussion needs to go to Politics.

I like the idea of it being before the Super Bowl. It always seemed so anticlimactic to have it after the Super Bowl, and frankly, I totally forgot about it half the time.

Don't like the idea. The high-impact nature of the sport makes the likelihood of sustaining injuries in an all-star game like the Pro Bowl much higher than in other sports like baseball or basketball. Would a franchise in contention for a playoff berth want to risk losing their star player to an injury he might suffer during a mid-season playing of the Pro Bowl?

As an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, I must applaud Tim Tebow and his family for utilizing his fame to promote the cause of LIFE. (See article below.) I wish more star athletes who openly promote their Christian faith would take a stand for "the least of these." I hope Tebow's efforts will inspire others.

BTW, I just love how the media can never bring themselves to say "Pro-Life." They always have to say "anti-abortion."

The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebows will share a personal story centering on the theme “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.”

The group isn’t releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow’s 1987 pregnancy. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner ended his college career with several NCAA, Southeastern Conference and school records, and two national championships. Tebow also has been very involved in his family’s Christian-based ministry.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said the commercial comes at a time when “families need to be inspired.”

“Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive,” Daly said. “Focus on the Family is about … strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values.”

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Daly said all the funds for the ad came from a handful of “very generous and committed friends,” and that no money from the group’s general fund was used.

“Now that the ad has been shot, we’re excited to tell people it’s coming because the Tebows’ story is such an important one for our culture to hear,” he said. “You won’t want to miss it.”

Hmm. Interesting. I'm not sure how much of the Super Bowl audience, being mostly middle-aged men, is within the target demographic for anti-abortion adverts, but it can't hurt. It's a heck of a lot of money to spend, but it's a cause he apparently believes in and a good cause to support.

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"It is remarkable that what we call the world...in what professes to be true...will allow in one man no blemishes, and in another no virtue."--Charles Dickens

As an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, I must applaud Tim Tebow and his family for utilizing his fame to promote the cause of LIFE. (See article below.) I wish more star athletes who openly promote their Christian faith would take a stand for "the least of these." I hope Tebow's efforts will inspire others.

BTW, I just love how the media can never bring themselves to say "Pro-Life." They always have to say "anti-abortion."

The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebows will share a personal story centering on the theme “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.”

The group isn’t releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow’s 1987 pregnancy. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner ended his college career with several NCAA, Southeastern Conference and school records, and two national championships. Tebow also has been very involved in his family’s Christian-based ministry.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said the commercial comes at a time when “families need to be inspired.”

“Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive,” Daly said. “Focus on the Family is about … strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values.”

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Daly said all the funds for the ad came from a handful of “very generous and committed friends,” and that no money from the group’s general fund was used.

“Now that the ad has been shot, we’re excited to tell people it’s coming because the Tebows’ story is such an important one for our culture to hear,” he said. “You won’t want to miss it.”

Hmm. Interesting. I'm not sure how much of the Super Bowl audience, being mostly middle-aged men, is within the target demographic for anti-abortion adverts, but it can't hurt. It's a heck of a lot of money to spend, but it's a cause he apparently believes in and a good cause to support.

I can indeed support such an ad as this from just my own personal experience. One of my college friends was just such a person as Tim Tebow. Listening to my friend's father speak at a major Amway convention--he happened to be a Triple Diamond Direct Distributor in the business, so he was pretty well-to-do--I learned that my friend's mother faced a life-threatening illness that led a doctor to recommend that she abort her pregnancy. She said no. I went to college with the daughter (and friend) born out of that decision.

As an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, I must applaud Tim Tebow and his family for utilizing his fame to promote the cause of LIFE. (See article below.) I wish more star athletes who openly promote their Christian faith would take a stand for "the least of these." I hope Tebow's efforts will inspire others.

BTW, I just love how the media can never bring themselves to say "Pro-Life." They always have to say "anti-abortion."

The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebows will share a personal story centering on the theme “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.”

The group isn’t releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow’s 1987 pregnancy. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner ended his college career with several NCAA, Southeastern Conference and school records, and two national championships. Tebow also has been very involved in his family’s Christian-based ministry.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said the commercial comes at a time when “families need to be inspired.”

“Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive,” Daly said. “Focus on the Family is about … strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values.”

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Daly said all the funds for the ad came from a handful of “very generous and committed friends,” and that no money from the group’s general fund was used.

“Now that the ad has been shot, we’re excited to tell people it’s coming because the Tebows’ story is such an important one for our culture to hear,” he said. “You won’t want to miss it.”

Hmm. Interesting. I'm not sure how much of the Super Bowl audience, being mostly middle-aged men, is within the target demographic for anti-abortion adverts, but it can't hurt. It's a heck of a lot of money to spend, but it's a cause he apparently believes in and a good cause to support.

I can indeed support such an ad as this from just my own personal experience. One of my college friends was just such a person as Tim Tebow. Listening to my friend's father speak at a major Amway convention--he happened to be a Triple Diamond Direct Distributor in the business, so he was pretty well-to-do--I learned that my friend's mother faced a life-threatening illness that led a doctor to recommend that she abort her pregnancy. She said no. I went to college with the daughter (and friend) born out of that decision.

A beautiful testimony. Glory to God!

Selam

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""Love is a dangerous thing. It will crush you if you trust it. But without it you can never be whole. Love crucifies, but love saves. We will either be saved together with love, or damned alone without it." Selam, +GMK+

It's official! A team that plays its home games in a domed stadium will win the Super Bowl.

Rather....referees will feign blindness to help New Orleans in their stadium. In the 4th Q, there was a pass that was clearly not in full control by the Saint's receiver, but the refs called that play in the Saint's favor. Reggie Bush's touchdown earlier in the game, when he was knocked out of bounds at the goal line, was also questionable.

It's official! A team that plays its home games in a domed stadium will win the Super Bowl.

Rather....referees will feign blindness to help New Orleans in their stadium.

Oh, boo hoo! The Saints won fair and square, and you know it. If the Old Man hadn't thrown another one of those endgame drive-killing interceptions that seem to have plagued his whole career in the playoffs, maybe the Viks would have won.

Favre needs to return to the farm and make more Wrangler Jeans commercials. Mr. "Pants on the Ground" could have run 5 yards and given his team a chance to try a game winning field goal. No, Favre had to throw a pick against his body. Suits him.

Who wants a 41 year old Favre to lead them to a Championship Game? There's always Canada.

It's official! A team that plays its home games in a domed stadium will win the Super Bowl.

Rather....referees will feign blindness to help New Orleans in their stadium.

Oh, boo hoo! The Saints won fair and square, and you know it. If the Old Man hadn't thrown another one of those endgame drive-killing interceptions that seem to have plagued his whole career in the playoffs, maybe the Viks would have won.

It's official! A team that plays its home games in a domed stadium will win the Super Bowl.

Rather....referees will feign blindness to help New Orleans in their stadium.

Oh, boo hoo! The Saints won fair and square, and you know it. If the Old Man hadn't thrown another one of those endgame drive-killing interceptions that seem to have plagued his whole career in the playoffs, maybe the Viks would have won.

But the old man........have some mercy!

Hey, I like watching an old gunslinger play the game like he still enjoys every minute of it and take some gambles in the hopes of scoring a home run pass from time to time. It's what makes the game fun. But when it comes to leading his team to a Super Bowl championship... Well, let's just say that discretion is often the better part of valor.

First Super Bowl since XXVIII to match up the two Conference No. 1 playoff seeds--Super Bowl XXVIII featured the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys for the second straight year. (ended up being the Bills' fourth straight Super Bowl loss)

It's official! A team that plays its home games in a domed stadium will win the Super Bowl.

Rather....referees will feign blindness to help New Orleans in their stadium.

Oh, boo hoo! The Saints won fair and square, and you know it. If the Old Man hadn't thrown another one of those endgame drive-killing interceptions that seem to have plagued his whole career in the playoffs, maybe the Viks would have won.

But the old man........have some mercy!

Hey, I like watching an old gunslinger play the game like he still enjoys every minute of it and take some gambles in the hopes of scoring a home run pass from time to time. It's what makes the game fun. But when it comes to leading his team to a Super Bowl championship... Well, let's just say that discretion is often the better part of valor.

Yeah, and I felt it coming right before he did that. I just felt like Favre was going to force the issue at that point.

Favre is a truly great QB, but I still think he is a bit overrated. His TD to INT ratio is not too hot. Lot's of interceptions throughout his career. But then again, he is indeed a "gunslinger," and that's gonna result in some INT's. Somebody famous (can't remember who) said, "That which enables us to achieve greatness also contains the seeds of our destruction." Good quote and applicable here I think.

Selam

« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 05:17:48 AM by Gebre Menfes Kidus »

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""Love is a dangerous thing. It will crush you if you trust it. But without it you can never be whole. Love crucifies, but love saves. We will either be saved together with love, or damned alone without it." Selam, +GMK+

If the Old Man hadn't thrown another one of those endgame drive-killing interceptions that seem to have plagued his whole career in the playoffs

He obviously didn't throw one in the SB win, did he?

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"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.

I don't. While I love the storyline, my logic says "go with Indy." I've been wrong only twice in 20 or so years (of course, I don't bet money on anything, so it does me little good).

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"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.

Honestly don't care who wins, but I have a feeling about this one (kind of like the feeling I had with the Giants vs. Patriots two years ago). The Saints will become a bigger underdog as the weeks progress, but I think Drew Brees will deliever come the 7th.Hopefully next years Super Bowl will be the Skins vs. the Browns, so some real trash talk can begin